Born in Kiev during the Russian Empire era, Glière was a composer and educator who studied violin and composition at the Kiev School of Music and Moscow Conservatory. He held significant teaching and administrative roles, including director of the Kiev School of Music and a long tenure at the Moscow Conservatory.

Known for monumental operas, ballets, and cantatas, his music combined Slavonic epics with lyrical harmony, earning him favour under both Tsarist and Soviet regimes while avoiding ac...